Government past questions: WAEC SSCE 2025

50 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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50 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

1.
[see linked page: question refers to shared diagram/text above]
1. A.guide to government
2. B.manifesto
3. C.policy paper
4. D.steps to govern
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Answer: B manifesto
2.
A democratic country is one in which the people have the right to
1. A.participate in decision making
2. B.violently overthrow a government
3. C.punish government by not honouring tax obligation
4. D.disregard laws they abhor
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Answer: A participate in decision making
3.
A social, political and economic arrangement in which landed property and other natural resources are collectively owned is referred to as
1. A.Liberalism
2. B.Communalism
3. C.Feudalism
4. D.Federalism
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Answer: B Communalism
4.
A state that has two levels of government is commonly referred to as
1. A.federal state
2. B.coalition government
3. C.concurrent state
4. D.cooperative government
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Answer: A federal state
5.
An executive president is one who wields the powers of a
1. A.despot and benevolent dictator
2. B.leader of government business only
3. C.head of state and government
4. D.ceremonial president only
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Answer: C head of state and government
6.
Apart from globalisation, what other factor to a large extent affects the sovereignty of a state?
1. A.Inalienability
2. B.System of government
3. C.Right of a franchise
4. D.International laws
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Answer: D International laws
7.
Bicameral legislature contributes to the democratic process by
1. A.widening the scope of political participation
2. B.suppressing minority rights
3. C.recommending the use of force in policy implementation
4. D.imposing programmes and policies on the executive
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Answer: A widening the scope of political participation
8.
Elections plays a major role in the democratic process because, it
1. A.confers legitimacy
2. B.manipulates the electoral process
3. C.ensures only good people rule
4. D.projects the class system
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Answer: A confers legitimacy
9.
Maintenance of law and order in a state is the function of the
1. A.judicial service
2. B.citizens of the state
3. C.legislative arm of government
4. D.executive arm of government
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Answer: D executive arm of government
10.
One of the factors that influences decentralisation of power in a state is
1. A.weak central authority
2. B.maximum allegiance to the state
3. C.widening political participation
4. D.maximum loyalty
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Answer: C widening political participation
11.
One of the formidable challenges the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) is confronted with is the
1. A.absence of technology transfer
2. B.arms race among member states
3. C.absence of a common platform for debate
4. D.over reliance on foreign aid
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Answer: D over reliance on foreign aid
12.
One of the function of the electoral management body is to
1. A.conduct training programmes for presidential candidates
2. B.engage in business to increase its financial capacity
3. C.interpret the electoral laws fairly
4. D.look for external sources besides the government to fund its operations
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Answer: C interpret the electoral laws fairly
13.
One of the high points of the activities of the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) led to the
1. A.Africanisation of the Executive Council
2. B.introduction of the elective principles
3. C.creation of the African High Command
4. D.proposal for African unity
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Answer: B introduction of the elective principles
14.
One of the low points in the cabinet system of government is that, the
1. A.divided loyalty of the cabinet ministers is strong
2. B.tenure of government is always not stable
3. C.centre of power in the system is stable
4. D.Prime Minister does not regard the Head of State
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Answer: B tenure of government is always not stable
15.
One of the major criticisms levelled against the United Nations (UN) is its inability to
1. A.enforce affirmative action and equal wealth
2. B.ensure fair permanent representation
3. C.adopt a universal language for its operations
4. D.ensure universal access to education
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Answer: B ensure fair permanent representation
16.
One of the negative effects of colonial rule on West African states was the
1. A.building of roads and rail network
2. B.western education
3. C.dependency syndrome
4. D.social interventions
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Answer: C dependency syndrome
17.
Public opinion is formed through the following channels except
1. A.elections
2. B.political parties
3. C.cabinet
4. D.mass media
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Answer: C cabinet
18.
Secret voting assists the voter in making a decision without
1. A.coercion
2. B.pondering over issues
3. C.public good
4. D.national interest
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Answer: A coercion
19.
The African Union (AU) is saddled with one of these challenges and that is
1. A.tensions and political discord among member states
2. B.inter-ethnic extinction and poor social cohesion
3. C.weak labour force
4. D.absence of rich natural resources
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Answer: A tensions and political discord among member states
20.
The art of maintaining peaceful relationship between states, groups or individuals mostly come about as a result of the activities and functions of
1. A.the legislature
2. B.security agencies
3. C.diplomats
4. D.the media
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Answer: C diplomats
21.
The best way to keep the military at bay from interfering in politics is by ensuring
1. A.their inclusion in government
2. B.high pay rise every year
3. C.effective control of their day to day operations
4. D.good governance
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Answer: D good governance
22.
The biggest obstacle which also slowed down nationalist activities in French West African Colonies was the
1. A.deportation of Africans to France
2. B.assimilation policy
3. C.constitutional reforms and entrenchment of human rights
4. D.assasination of chiefs
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Answer: B assimilation policy
23.
The civil service is different from the public service in terms of
1. A.educational qualification
2. B.personality and stature
3. C.conditions of service
4. D.political affiliation
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Answer: C conditions of service
24.
The Commonwealth Nations is committed to one of the following principles
1. A.supervise political activities of member states
2. B.human rights and democracy
3. C.draft constitution for member states
4. D.finance budget of member states
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Answer: B human rights and democracy
25.
The cornerstone of a functioning democracy is the
1. A.appropriation bill
2. B.free and fair elections
3. C.expenditure pattern of the executive
4. D.foreign policy and military alliances
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Answer: B free and fair elections
26.
The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) is now confronted with a new security threat which is
1. A.proportional representation
2. B.weak national armies
3. C.smuggling of illegal goods across states
4. D.extremism
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Answer: D extremism
27.
The exercise of power can arise from any of the following sources except
1. A.ideological power
2. B.charismatic power
3. C.legitimate power
4. D.expert power
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Answer: A ideological power
28.
The following issues are some of the challenges the United Nations (UN) addresses except
1. A.climate change
2. B.human rights
3. C.humanitarian aid
4. D.oligarchical regimes
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Answer: D oligarchical regimes
29.
The French Colonial policies in her West African colonies were different from the British in many ways except in
1. A.discriminatory laws
2. B.citizenship
3. C.imperialism
4. D.cultural imposition
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Answer: C imperialism
30.
The function of the Diplomatic Missions include the following except
1. A.project the culture of the people
2. B.pay salaries of workers of the mission
3. C.gather intelligence information
4. D.woo investors
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Answer: B pay salaries of workers of the mission
31.
The Fundamental Human Rights and Liberties must be entrenched in a constitution to
1. A.make it difficult to tamper with
2. B.serve majority interest
3. C.show concern for the people
4. D.espouse love for the country
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Answer: A make it difficult to tamper with
32.
The issues that are at the core of a country's foreign policy are referred to as
1. A.globalisation
2. B.state area
3. C.diplomacy
4. D.national interest
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Answer: D national interest
33.
The judiciary occupies an important place in every state because it is
1. A.a body of upright and just people in society
2. B.mandated to supervise the functions of the executive
3. C.protector of the rights of the people
4. D.a unique profession of intellectuals
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Answer: C protector of the rights of the people
34.
The local government system assists best in mentoring and grooming people for
1. A.military operations
2. B.large scale farming
3. C.leadership position
4. D.citizenship and justice
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Answer: C leadership position
35.
The media, commonly referred to as the fourth estate of the realm, monitors the activities of government on behalf of the
1. A.executive
2. B.media organisation
3. C.people
4. D.civil society
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Answer: C people
36.
The official routine observed in carrying out functions in the civil service is commonly known as
1. A.command
2. B.standard order
3. C.official order
4. D.bureaucracy
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Answer: D bureaucracy
37.
The overriding consideration for the creation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) was to place Africa on the path to
1. A.military might
2. B.growth and development
3. C.non-alignment
4. D.capitalist governance
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Answer: B growth and development
38.
The pattern of rule by the French in her West African colonies was highly
1. A.decentralised
2. B.centralised
3. C.consultative
4. D.proportional
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Answer: B centralised
39.
The Public Service Commission performs the following functions except
1. A.imposition of income tax
2. B.welfare of personnel
3. C.discipline of personnel
4. D.advisory body
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Answer: A imposition of income tax
40.
The reason for which the government should take a key interest in the activities of pressure groups is that, they
1. A.blackmail political leaders
2. B.dictate the path and direction for government programmes
3. C.provide valuable feedback on government policies and programmes
4. D.force coalition among political parties for election
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Answer: C provide valuable feedback on government policies and programmes
41.
The reluctance of military regimes to hand-over power to civilian administration is because, they
1. A.have the backing of traditional rulers, their subjects and the clergy
2. B.negotiate better loan terms for the country than the civilian government
3. C.perceive civilians and politicians as evil doers and backward
4. D.feel a sense of entitlement
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Answer: D feel a sense of entitlement
42.
The rigid nature of a constitution makes it
1. A.easy for quick review
2. B.infallible and standard
3. C.complicated for amendment
4. D.accessible to all
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Answer: C complicated for amendment
43.
The underlying principle of the concept of separation of powers is mainly to
1. A.tame the executive
2. B.prevent arbitrariness
3. C.ensure constitutional review
4. D.educate people on their rights
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Answer: B prevent arbitrariness
44.
There are two types of committee system in the House of parliament as part of their operations and one of such is
1. A.Leadership Committee
2. B.Committee of the Whole House
3. C.Expert Committee
4. D.Parliamentary Service Board
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Answer: B Committee of the Whole House
45.
Unitary system of government is adopted by some states because
1. A.it builds the capacity of citizens in good time
2. B.of homogeneity
3. C.it guarantees democracy
4. D.of rich mineral resources
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Answer: B of homogeneity
46.
What is commonly referred to as the association of the government and the governed?
1. A.Federation
2. B.Monarchy
3. C.State
4. D.Confederation
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Answer: C State
47.
What type of right enables citizens to participate in state affairs?
1. A.Judicial right
2. B.Political right
3. C.Habeas corpus
4. D.Social right
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Answer: B Political right
48.
Which of the following systems of government does not practice collective responsibility?
1. A.Non-centralised system
2. B.Communalism system
3. C.Executive system
4. D.Cabinet system
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Answer: A Non-centralised system
49.
Which one among the following is a significant factor that influences the foreign policy of a country?
1. A.Political system
2. B.Educational system
3. C.Gender of the political leader
4. D.Recruitment policy
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Answer: A Political system
50.
Which system of government allows for and guarantees maximum competition?
1. A.Feudalism
2. B.Social democracy
3. C.Communalism
4. D.Capitalism
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Answer: D Capitalism

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